Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-10-27
Of the Ancient Order of United Workmep
in this City.
Nine Hundred People Sit Down to a
Bountiful Banquet,
Furnished by the Whole.Souied Members
of Highland Lodge.
Some Interesting Speeches are Made by
Prominent Members of the Order.

The 18th anniversary of the A o. U. W.
occurred in this city yesterday and was in all
respects most pleasant and successful oc-
casion. This order although a quiet one,
has met with most rapid and healthy growth
since Its organization, 1t now numbers in
this jurisdiction a membership of $4,000.
There are 90 lodges in the State, thirteen of
which are situated in Kennebec County :.
The Highland Lodge of this city under whose
hospitable auspices the anniversary was
held was instituted about three years ago,
and now has membership of about $50.
All through the afternoon the trains were
crowded with the visiting members. Hon.
Parker Spofford of Bucksport, Grand Overseer
of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, aud the
president of the evening, arrived on the
afternoon train from the East, accompanied
As Mr.. Wardwell the witty editor of the
Backsport Clipper expressed it, "We have
all the professions represented in our party.
We have doctor to attend to the sick, q
editor to write the obituaries
1t was thoroughly congenial party which
sat down at little past five o'clock in the
evening to the bountiful repast which was
ing members were accompanied by ladies and
the company was in all respects 4 pleasant
one. At the close of the repast the members
of Highland Lodge formed in line and
marched to the depot where they met the
members eff the order who came from Gardi-
ner and Hallowell by special train, and
headed by the Hallowell Band, escorted
them to the hall, where q bountitul warm
supper was in readiness for them. Upwards
of 400 people sat down to the tables, at this
time making in all nearly 900 people who en-
joyed the whole souled hospitality of High
land Lodge.
The arrangements for the banquet were
admirably conducted in every particular and
were under the special charge of Richard H.
Getchell, Bradford Lawrence and J. Nj.
Libby.
At the close of the supper a procession
was formed and headed by the Hallowell
band marched to the Augusta House, and es-
eorted the speakers Of the evening to the hall.
At the opening Of the exercises Meonian
hall was completely filled by the members OF
the order and their friends. Judge Andrews
Past Master Workman of Highland Lodge
and District Deputy, in a few happy remarks
welcomed the visiting members of the order
and introduced as the chairman of the even
ing Grand Overseer Hon. Parker Spofford of
Bucksport. Mr.. SpofTord IN eloquent words,
reviewed the growth of the order from a
feeble obscure beginning in small town in
Pennsylvania to its present large member
ship and great strength. He referred in
glowing terms to the vast work which had
been done under the motto of the order
CHARITY, Hope and Protection" At the
close of his remarks Rev. S. l.. Hanscom
of Bucksport invoked Divine blessing.
President Spofford then introduced Col.
Thos. F. Temple of Boston, Grand
Receiver who spoke with much force
and eloquence upon the work of the
order He stated that there were now in
existence 5000 lodges with membership OF
200,0 900. The order he said had since its
foundation, paid out $40. 600, 900, and that al
the present time was paying out 100000
annually. He cited many forcible instances
in which the order had been instrumental
in ameliorsting the sufferings of its members
and had saved the families of those who had
been taken away, from poverty and want.
In closing Col. Temple paid an eloquent
tribute TO Father Upchurch the founder Of
the society closing with the Society closing
with he beautiful poem:
We are working, Father Upchurch,
In thine own appointed way,
We are building up the order,
Stronger, better, every day.
Though thou hast not lived to see it,
Yet the time will not be long,
When the men who'll call thee "father"
Eount two hundred thousand strong,